Exercising shoe



Feb. 12, 1935. R. A. wooD EXERCISING SHOE Filed Feb. l2, 1934 Patented Feb. 12, 1935 UNITED STATES earssrorrlca Robert A. Wood, Chicago, Ill. Application February 12, 1931i, Serial No. 710,835

4 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for use in executing physical exercises, and has to do .more particularly with such a device in the form of a shoe.

Y In performing certain physical exercises, it is desirable that weights be attached to the feet and that some of the exercises be performed while in a sitting or reclining position, and others 4be performed while in an upright or standing'position. It is also 'desirable that the weights attached to the feet be capable of being varied to suit the physical condition of the person performing the exercises. it is an object of my invention to provide a device in the form of -a shoe which can readily ybe .attached to the feet,'this device being suitable for use when a person is in either a Vstanding position or a reclining position. A further object is to provide a device of the character stated having means whereby the weight of the device may be varied with expedition and facility to suit the physical condition of the person employing the device. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detail description.

In the drawing:-

Figure l is a plan view of an exercising shoe embodying "my invention, partly broken away and in section;

Figure 2 is a section taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the weight plates;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken vertically through the shoe, and illustrating the use of weight elements other than plates;

kFigure 5 is an elevation, partly broken away and in section, of a modified form of shoe.

Conveniently, the shoe of my invention is in the form of a metallic casting' comprising a top plate 1 which approximately conforms in plan to the shape of the human foot. This plate is provided, at the heel portion thereof, with an upwardly extending flange 2 rigid with the plate and conveniently cast integral therewith, this flange fitting about the heel of the user in the use of the device. Plate l is provided with a depending peripheral ange 3, interiorly rabbeted at 4, at its lower end. o

Flange 3 is provided, at each side thereof, with two spaced slots 5 aligned with grooves 6 extending transversely of top plate i in the under face thereof. The slots 5 and grooves 5 accommodate straps 7 provided with buckles 7a, these straps being of suitable length to extend upward (C1. Sli-2.5)

over a persons footv forA securing the device thereon. f

A bottom closureplate 8, conforming in shape to the top plate 1, seats snugly in the rabbeted lower end'of flange S and provides a closureV for 5 the lower end of the hollow casing defined by this flange and the top plate l, A cushion sole 9, formed of rubber or other suitable material, is secured to the under face of plate 8 and projects beyond this plate beneath the lower end of iiange 3. Conveniently, sole 9 is secured to plate 8 by stitching 10, plate 8 being suitably bored at 11 to accommodate this stitching, though the sole may be secured to plate 8 in any other suitable or preferred manner. The projecting peripheral portion of sole 9 serves as a shield for the lower edge of iiange 3 and also'provides a seal for the joint between plate 8 and fiange 3 which is effective to prevent entry of moisture orv foreign materials into the hollow casing.'

' Closure plate 8 may be removably secured in position in any suitable or preferred manner. Preferably, I provide suitably disposed bolts 12 which Apass through the top plate v1, the heads 13 of these bolts tapering downward and being counl tersunk in the top plate with their upper surfaces ilush therewith. YThe bolts pass through aligned openings in weightplates 14 ydisposed. within and conforming in planV to the casing defined by the top plate and the flange 3. The bolts 12 also pass through the bottom closure plate 8 and screw into nuts 15 which fit tightly into corresponding openingsV 16 provided in the sole 9, these nuts being frictionally held in position. Coil springs 17, ofrsuitablev strength, are disposed about the bolts 12 and are confined under com-1 pression between the lower plates la and the upper face of bottom plate 8. With the weight platesV 1li properly positioned within the-casing and the bolts 12 inserted through the platel and plates 14 and 8, plate 8 is held seated against the expansive force of springs 17 and the bolts are screwed into the nuts 15, thus securing plate 8 tightly in position. The device is then ready for use, and any objectionable looseness or play of the weight plates 14 is prevented by the springs 17. It will be understood that any other suitable or preferred means may be provided for holding the weight plates against objectionable looseness, though the coil springs 1'7 Vare ordinarily satisfactory for this purpose.

1t will be noted that the plates 14 are of different thicknesses. By employing weight plates of different thicknesses, and changing the number of weight plates employed, it is Vpossible to vary the weight of the device within Wide'limits, as desired or as conditions may require.

Instead of employing weight plates for adjusting the weight of the device, other suitable weight elements may be utilized. In Figure 4 I have shown a quantityof weight elements 18 in the form of. metal pellets or shot disposed within the casing of the device. These shot may be placed Within the casing by removing plate 8, or, if

Y desired, one ofthe bolts 12 may be removed ternporarily and the shot poured into the casing through the bolt opening thus provided. The shot 18 may be used either in conjunction with the weight plates 14 or independently thereof, as

desired. When shot or similarweight elements are used alone, the coil springs `17 may be omitted. In general, I prefer to employ the weight plates 14 for adjusting the weight of the device, since the weight is more uniformly distributed when fthese3platesare employed., In many instances,

however, the use of shot 18 or similar weight elements is satisfactory. Y Y

The ,device illustrated in Figures V1 to 4, Vinclusive, is intended more particularly for use by beginners taking a course of exercises for which this device is particularly adapted.AV It is'desirable that the device be of light weight whenfbeginning the course, rto eliminate possibility of the user injuring orstraining himself. As the course proceeds, the weight ofthe device may be Vincreased as justified, in the manner previously described. After a person has completed the f, course, or in the case of a person of unusual the shape of the human foot'and an integral physical strength, it may be desirable to provide a device Vof appreciablylgreater weight than theY device of Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, even when this device is Vfully-loaded with weight elements. order to meet this condition, I have V provided the modified form of device shown in Figure 5. Y -This device comprises a thick plate 19 conforming in plauto the shape of the human foot,-and provided, at its heel portion, with anY upwardly 'extending peripheral flange 20. The plate 19 thus comprises a top portion conformingV in plan to depending Weight portion of suficient thickness to impart to the device the'desired weight. YThe devicerof Figure 5 is conveniently cast as aunit from ai heavy metal oralloy,1such as bronze, iron, or the like. This plate-is provided with transverse slots 21 which accommodate the securing straps'l. Y K Y In the devicerillustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, the hollow casing comprising the top plate 1 and ange 3, and the bottom closure plate 8, are all preferably formed of aluminum or other suitable light material. This device is, therefore, of considerably less weight than the device illustrated in Figure 5 and, as above noted, is particularly suitable for use by beginners taking up a. definite Acourse of physical exercises. It will be noted that the device closely approximatesVV a shoe and is suitable for exercises when the pern son is either in an upright or standing position, or in a sitting or reclining position, which is of importance, since it is necessary that the person taking the prescribed course of exercises occupy various positions. Y

What I'claim isz- 1. In a device of the character described, a top plate approximately conforming in plan to the shape of the human foot and providedwith a depending peripheral flange definingwith the plate a hollow casing, said flange being interiorly rabbetted at its lower end, a bottom closure plate seating in the rabbetted lower end of said flange, aV cushion solesecured to lthe under face of the Vwbottom'plate and extending therebeyond beneath the flange, weight plates disposed within the casing, securing members extending from the vtop plate through the weight platesand releasably secured to the bottom plate,.and means cooper.- ating with said lmembers Vfor restraining movement of said `weight plates away from saidtop plate, the top plate being provided at the heel portion thereof with an upwardly extending peripheral flange.Y l

2. In a device of the character described, aY

top plate approximately conforming in planV to the' shapeof the human foot and provided-.with a depending peripheral flange defining with;A the rabbetted at its lower end, a bottom closure plate Vplate a hollow casing, said Aflange being interiorly c seating in the rabbetted lowerend of saidange, Y

a cushion sole secured'jtovthe under facepf-the bottom plate and extending therebeyond beneath 1 the flanga'weight plates-disposed within the casing, securing members extending fromthe top Vplate through the weight plates and releasably Vsecured to the bottom plate, and means cooperating with said members for restraining movement of said weight plates awayrfromsaidy .top plate. i Y,

` 3. In a device of the character described,Y atop plate approximately conforming in 'plan to the shape of the human foot and provided withV a vrdepending peripheral `flange defining with the plate a hollow casing Vadapted for reception of 

